Allometric equations for estimating the mass and volume of fresh assimilational apparatus of standing scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) trees

Abstract

The increment of trees depends, primarily, on the size of the assimilation apparatus of the crown and its efficiency to produce organic matter. That is why this study undertook to determine the size of the assimilation apparatus of single trees of Pinus sylvestris L. The authors used the mass ( ugc) and volume ( ugo) of twigs covered with needles in order to estimate the size of the assimilation apparatus. The performed analysis revealed a significant correlation between easy-to-determine tree variables: breast height diameter— d 1.3, height— h and age— w and the ugc and ugo. This correlation served as a basis for the elaboration of equations which allow determining the size of the assimilation apparatus. The empirical material was provided by the results of measurements carried out on 1808 pine trees growing in mesic forest sites typical for this species in western Poland. The analysis of this data set allowed to calculate the parameters of allometric equations for estimating the mass and volume of scots pine foliage upon age of trees, breast height diameter and height of trees as independent variables: u g c = 0.67705 w − 0.537 d 1.3 3.192 h − 1.384 u g o = 0.596925 w − 0.726 d 1.3 2.825 h − 0.642 The equations, based on universally measured features of standing trees, are simple in use and applicable for trees growing in stands, especially on mesic sites typical for pine.